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Major Events of March 1991: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from March 1991 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of March 1991: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Mar 1991 Iraqi Uprisings Against Saddam Hussein: Following the Gulf War, widespread uprisings against Saddam Hussein's regime erupted in Iraq, resulting in significant civilian casualties. These rebellions, primarily led by Shiite Muslims in southern Iraq and Kurds in the north, were brutally suppressed by Hussein's government, leading to the deaths of over 25,000 people, predominantly civilians.
  • 02 Mar 1991 End of the Gulf War at Rumaila Oil Field: The Battle at Rumaila Oil Field marked the decisive conclusion of the 1991 Gulf War, with coalition forces effectively ending military operations against Iraqi forces in Kuwait.
  • 03 Mar 1991 Rodney King Beating Captured on Video: Four Los Angeles police officers brutally beat motorist Rodney King, an incident captured on amateur video that would become a pivotal moment in discussions of police brutality and racial injustice in the United States.
  • 04 Mar 1991 World Wide Web Goes Online: The most primitive version of the World Wide Web is put online, marking the beginning of a technological revolution that would fundamentally transform global communication and information sharing.
  • 05 Mar 1991 Iraq Officially Ends Kuwait Annexation: In a diplomatic move following the Gulf War, Iraq officially repealed its annexation of Kuwait, signaling the end of its territorial occupation.
  • 06 Mar 1991 End of the Persian Gulf War: Presidential Address: Following Iraq's decisive defeat in the Persian Gulf conflict, President George H.W. Bush delivered a historic address to the United States Congress, proclaiming that 'aggression is defeated; the war is over'. This moment symbolized the successful conclusion of a significant military intervention that restored Kuwait's sovereignty and demonstrated the international community's united stance against territorial aggression.
  • 07 Mar 1991 Iraqi Oil Field Destruction in Kuwait During Gulf War: During the final stages of the Gulf War, Iraqi forces continued their scorched earth tactics by systematically destroying oil fields in Kuwait. This environmental catastrophe involved setting fire to hundreds of oil wells, creating massive ecological damage and releasing enormous amounts of smoke and pollutants into the atmosphere. The deliberate sabotage was intended to cause economic devastation and environmental harm to Kuwait.
  • 08 Mar 1991 US Troops Return from Persian Gulf War: Planeloads of US troops arrive home from the Persian Gulf conflict. Iraq releases 40 foreign journalists and two American soldiers who were previously captured during the war.
  • 09 Mar 1991 Gulf War Troop Withdrawal Begins: Operation Phase Echo commences as 540,000 American troops begin to leave the Persian Gulf following the successful conclusion of the Gulf War.
  • 10 Mar 1991 Gulf War: Operation Phase Echo Troop Withdrawal: The United States begins Operation Phase Echo, initiating the withdrawal of 540,000 American troops from the Persian Gulf following the successful conclusion of the Gulf War. This massive logistical operation marks the end of direct military combat and the beginning of the post-war drawdown.
  • 11 Mar 1991 Violent Unrest in South African Townships: A severe curfew was imposed on black townships in South Africa following intense political violence that resulted in 49 deaths. The incident underscored the ongoing tensions and political instability during the late apartheid era.
  • 12 Mar 1991 Warsaw Pact Dissolution: The Warsaw Pact is officially dissolved, marking a significant milestone in the end of the Cold War era. This event symbolized the collapse of Soviet military and political influence in Eastern Europe and signaled the dramatic geopolitical transformations occurring in the early 1990s.
  • 13 Mar 1991 Emir of Kuwait Returns Home: After seven months of exile during the Iraqi occupation, the Emir of Kuwait, Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, returns to his liberated country following the Gulf War.
  • 14 Mar 1991 Emir of Kuwait Returns After Iraqi Occupation: The Emir of Kuwait returned to Kuwait City following the withdrawal of Iraqi forces, marking a symbolic end to Iraq's invasion and occupation of Kuwait during the Gulf War. This moment represented a significant milestone in the restoration of Kuwait's sovereignty and international diplomatic relations.
  • 15 Mar 1991 Germany Regains Full Independence: On March 15, 1991, Germany formally regained complete sovereignty after the four post-World War II occupying powers (France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Soviet Union) relinquished all remaining rights, marking the end of a decades-long occupation and division.
  • 16 Mar 1991 Tragic Plane Crash Kills Reba McEntire's Band Members: A devastating plane crash near San Diego, California claimed the lives of seven members of Reba McEntire's band, along with the road manager and both pilots. The private jet clipped a mountain shortly after takeoff, resulting in a complete loss of life.
  • 17 Mar 1991 USSR Referendum on Union Treaty: The Soviet Union held a critical referendum to determine the future of the union, with nine out of fifteen Soviet representatives officially approving a new union treaty. This event signaled a pivotal moment in the potential restructuring of the Soviet state during its final years.
  • 18 Mar 1991 Steve Jobs Marries Laurene Powell: Apple Computer co-founder Steve Jobs married Laurene Powell in a private ceremony, marking a significant personal milestone for the tech visionary. Powell, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, would become a crucial support system for Jobs in his later years.
  • 19 Mar 1991 NFL Takes Stand Against Racial Discrimination: NFL owners make a significant statement against racial inequality by stripping the Phoenix Cardinals of hosting the 1993 Super Bowl due to Arizona's refusal to recognize Martin Luther King Day, demonstrating a commitment to civil rights and social justice.
  • 20 Mar 1991 Supreme Court Protects Women's Employment Rights: The US Supreme Court unanimously ruled that employers cannot exclude women from jobs involving potential chemical exposure that might harm a fetus, marking a significant advancement in workplace gender equality and reproductive rights.
  • 21 Mar 1991 Kuwaiti Prisoners of War Released: A critical humanitarian development following the Gulf War was the release of Kuwaiti nationals who had been imprisoned by Iraqi forces during the conflict. This marked an important step in post-war reconciliation and recovery efforts.
  • 22 Mar 1991 Mali's March Revolution: Pro-Democracy Movement Topples Dictatorship: A significant pro-democracy movement swept across Mali, with mass rallies and nationwide strikes organized by students and trade unionists. These protests demanded free multiparty elections and the resignation of the authoritarian president. The sustained civic action successfully led to the regime's overthrow and establishment of a transitional democratic government, marking a pivotal moment in Mali's political history.
  • 23 Mar 1991 Start of Sierra Leone Civil War: The Revolutionary United Front (RUF), supported by Charles Taylor's National Patriotic Front of Liberia, launches an invasion of Sierra Leone in an attempt to overthrow President Joseph Saidu Momoh. This event marks the beginning of a brutal 11-year civil war that would devastate the country.
  • 24 Mar 1991 Georgian Independence Referendum: Georgia voted for independence from the Soviet Union, a pivotal moment in the dissolution of the USSR and the emergence of new nation-states.
  • 25 Mar 1991 63rd Academy Awards Highlights: The 63rd Academy Awards ceremony celebrated outstanding achievements in cinema. Jeremy Irons won Best Actor and Kathy Bates won Best Actress, with 'Dances with Wolves' receiving significant recognition.
  • 26 Mar 1991 Mercosur Treaty Signing: Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay sign the Treaty of Asuncion, establishing the South Common Market (Mercosur), a significant economic integration agreement in South America.
  • 27 Mar 1991 NHL Hall of Fame Inductees: Scotty Bowman, legendary hockey coach, and Neil Armstrong, renowned astronaut, were elected to the NHL Hall of Fame, recognizing their extraordinary contributions to sports and exploration.
  • 28 Mar 1991 Mike Tyson Acknowledges Paternity of Child: Professional boxer Mike Tyson legally acknowledged his paternity of a child with Kimberly Scarborough during a hearing at Manhattan Family Court. This legal proceeding confirmed Tyson's biological relationship with the infant daughter, establishing potential legal and financial responsibilities.
  • 30 Mar 1991 Northern Michigan Wins NCAA Hockey Championship: In a thrilling 8-7 victory over Boston University, Northern Michigan secured its first-ever NCAA Ice Hockey Championship, a landmark achievement for the university's athletic program.
  • 31 Mar 1991 Warsaw Pact Dissolution: The Warsaw Pact, a collective defense treaty between the Soviet Union and Eastern European communist states, formally disbands, marking a significant moment in the end of the Cold War.